Around 12:28 a.m., Calun Nelson, 27, was traveling westbound on State Road 674, west of Katie Stanaland Road, when he struck the 10-foot, 9-inch gator as it crossed into Nelson's path, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.